Cherished by the Gargoyle

Once Upon a Fairy Tale Romance #8

by Jessica Grayson, Aria Winter

Inspired by Sleeping Beauty, a romantic fairy tale retelling...

All my life, I’ve lived in a quiet village, raised by three Fae sisters who adopted me shortly after my birth. My happiest moments have always included Thalric—the Gargoyle who’s been my best friend and my secret love since childhood.

But the peaceful life I’ve known shatters when I learn I’m not a simple villager at all, but a hidden princess, concealed by my Fae guardians to protect me from a deadly curse. And Thalric is destined to become my sworn guard, bound by oath and forbidden from ever loving me.

Now, tied to duty and betrothed to a stranger, my future is no longer my own. Yet as dark magic stirs and time begins to slip away, Thalric faces an impossible choice—the sacred vows he was born to uphold, or the forbidden love we’ve silently nurtured for years.

As the curse tightens its hold, I must decide if I’m brave enough to risk it all… or lose Thalric forever.

**Steamy content. Not a dark romance.

Each book in the Once Upon a Fairy Tale Romance series is a standalone featuring a different couple.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2025

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Grayson writes scifi and fantasy romance with strong heroines and the otherworldly heroes that cannot help but fall in love with them.

She lives with her husband, cat and dog in the San Antonio, TX area. In addition to reading and writing scifi romance, she loves swimming, chai and dark chocolate.

For more information, follow her on www.jessicagraysonauthor.com

Reviews

[Jen ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

My rating was solely for Thalric and his unwavering devotion and never-ending patience with Aurora.

As for her, she could take a hike for all I care. This woman lacks any sense of self-preservation and doesn’t really care about how her actions might impact herself or those around her. They say she's stubborn/determined, but I think she's just selfish. Anyway, while I'm mostly annoyed at her, I have to say I like how devoted she is to Thalric too.

Also, I liked that the story stirred up emotions in me. I don't know if I'm just an emotional mess or what, but yeah, some scenes made me tear up. 😅


Book info:
- Friends to lovers
- Dual V!
- Sleeping beauty inspired
- No cheating, OW, separation
- Minor OM (buuuut it's an arrangement, Aurora didn't know anything about this, and tbf Prince Ryllen was such a good man. He even became friends with the MCs)
- HEA


PS. Prince Ryllen better have his own book, because that guy absolutely deserves to find his person as well.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Decent read, but I wished for more character depth.

[Denise O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loyalty, Love, Strength and Courage are some of the themes throughout this book.

“She’s held my stone born heart in the palm of her dainty human hands ever since we were seven years old”

Aurora and Thalric are friends since childhood, he is her guardian and protector and is also madly in love with her. He would do anything for her sometimes getting in to trouble when she pulls him into something like sneaking out.

Aurora loves Thalric just as much, she yearns for him. Their love is forbidden. Aurora is everything to him, precious to him. Loves her with every piece of his heart. Gargoyle’s are made to be seen like their hearts are made of stone but Thalric’s heart melts for her.

But when Aurora’s true identity is revealed, she’s a cursed princess hidden from the goblin witch, Thalric will do everything he can to keep her safe even if it means to let her go.

He will sacrifice his love for her to protect her, to make sure she doesn’t succumb to the curse. He wishes things could be different , that they could be together.

But in the end True Love conquers all ❤️❤️

“I love you… Always”

Any books I have read of Jessica’s I absolutely love and this book is no different. The love yearning and chemistry between Aurora and Thalric 💜 all I wanted was for them to get their Happy Ever After.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'When it comes to Auri, I can deny her nothing.
Every instinct within me longs to shield and protect her from anything that frightens her. But other instincts— stronger, primal— flare dangerously to life at her closeness, as her sweet scent of honeysuckle and lavender floods my senses.
Gently, I tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear as I gaze at her lovely face. “You have no idea what you do to me, my savryl,” I whisper softly. “Every time you smile, I forget how to breathe.”

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. Sleeping Beauty is a fairytale I don't think I've ever read a retelling of and I was really excited to read it from this amazing duo of authors. I loved both Aurora and Thalric. I thought they were absolutely adorable together. I liked that he called her Auri and that they were friends first before it ever became more. The way she'd tease him was cute, too. And what girl wouldn't be in love with a big, strong protective gargoyle? I was quickly completely captivated by the story and couldn't put it down. I loved all the paranormal beings around that interact just as easily as if they were human. I loved a number of supporting characters. The story was a fascinating and fast-paced adventure. A beautiful read. 5 stars.

[Gleeful Goblin Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gleeful Goblin Review: I love a fresh retelling and I think this one was done well. Our MMC is Thalric, a gargoyle or "Stone-Born" who has grown up with (and since 7 years old been secretly in love with) our FMC Aurora....who has also been secretly in love with Thalric for a good long time. In spite of them both secretly pining for each, and Thalric even feeling like Aurora is fated for him as his "savryl", a pairing between gargoyles and humans is Not Done. Both characters are in their early 20's or equivalent so this is very much a first blush of adult feelings/first love type of story. But because this is fantasy, first love can not only persevere but also last the test of time. As in most first love stories, they're both afraid to make the first move because they don't know if the other person returns these feelings and both are terrified to ruin their friendship.

But more than unsure first love stands in the way of these two being together. Promises made when Aurora was born will come to light and more than one challenge will have to be overcome if these two are ever going to get their Happily Ever After. 5/5 Stars

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Sleeping Beauty Retelling

Aurora has lived a quiet life in the village, never knowing that she was a princess raised by the Fae and guarded by a Gargoyle guardian. Thalric, her Gargoyle protector, has been her best friend her whole life and the subject of her secret crush.

Now that the secret of her identity is known, she has princess duties like royal marriage that she is destined to uphold. Only, she loves Thalric and can’t imagine life without him. How can these two destined lovers stay together when honor and duty stand in their way?

This was a sweet romance with fairytale magic and fantasy. An easygoing read with good heartfelt storytelling to enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd thoroughly enjoyed reading this fantasy fairy tale paranormal story based on Sleeping Beauty. This was my first book in this series I'd read, and now I'd must check out the others by Jessica. I'd liked our characters- Aurora our hidden cursed princess and Thalric her gargoyle guard. Grown up as friends and secretly in love with each other but sworn by duty and Aurora's betrothal to remain apart. Then her curse activates during their journey, what ensues was a well written story that captured me. I'd volunteer to read and review this copy I'd received.

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another re telling of a fairy tale, we've all enjoyed in our youth, I'm sure. :) This one relates to Sleeping Beauty, and our couple are Aurora and Thalric. There are some minor complications to this pair getting their Hea, but they do in the end, as with all Fairy tales.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a fun take a sleeping beauty. I’ve enjoyed this series. It’s kind of a cozy read and while each book is stand alone characters we get cameos from past and future couples and the “big bad” is over arching through all stories. Enjoyable if you don’t take it too seriously and are looking for quick happily ever after.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really lovely fairytale retelling.. I absolutely loved it! It is sweet, heartfelt, and romantic.. Full of magical adventures.. A multitude of beautiful, well-written characters..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rae🦇 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teared up for like 80% of this book 😭 Hope you’re in the mood to cry.
Assumed Dual V (fmc yes/not explicitly stated for mmc)

Aurora: (22/Brunette/fmc) Mischievous. Fiercely loyal.
Thalric: (23/Raven Haired/mmc) Broody Sweetheart.

[Mackenzie Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon. In the meantime, wow, just wow. This was such a great addition to this series. Make sure you have tissues tho, cause this had me sobbing by the end!

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely lovely fairytale retelling of Sleeping Beauty that stole my heart! This story is sweet, heartfelt, and full of magical adventures that make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a dream.

✨Fairytales, curses, and a love that softens even stone…✨

Jessica Grayson has a gift for reimagining fairytales in ways that feel fresh and magical. I’m usually not a fan of childhood friends-to-lovers, but this story completely changed my mind. There’s just something about Auri and Thalric that works. It’s that sweet, slow-burn connection that makes your heart ache in the best way.

✨"I knew you'd come. You always found me. You always knew exactly where I'd be."

Aurora is determined (her words, mine would be troublemaker and stubborn